NFL Kickoff Rules: Celebrate the Average and Reduce the Great

March 24, 2011   ·   Deborah Horton   ·   Jump to comments

The NFL has voted on changing the kickoff rules to move all kickoffs from the 30-yard line to the 35.  
They also want to stop "blocking wedges" on the line of the kicking team.  
The NFL claims they are doing this to reduce injuries.
From my viewpoint, they are doing it to level the playing field.  
Bring the lesser special teams up by preventing the better ones from continuing to do well. In reality, they are eliminating the competition aspect of this part of the game.
The committee claims they are doing this to reduce violent collisions on kickoffs. By making this move, they will drive up the percentage of touchbacks dramatically.  
There will be fewer returns for yardage and kickoffs will most likely sail right on out of the endzone entirely.  
Here are some stats from the past few years on kickoffs and touchbacks. As you will see, the touchback percentage has increased every year as kickers get stronger, which alread...

Read Complete Article at Bleacher Report - NFL
Article is property of BleacherReport.com